Health Scams – Be An Informed Consumer!

We live in a world filled with miracle cures, miracle medicines, a diet that cures diabetes, a pill that makes you lose weight and become that size 4 that you always wanted to be without even changing any of your eating habits, and miracle devices that do the amazing with little to no effort. A modern day medicine wagon with the peddler and his elixir cure all!

Unfortunately health scams and “quackery” usually target the elderly or the less fortunate. If it sounds too good to be true, more than likely it is too good to be true. Thousands if not millions of dollars are wasted yearly on health scams that people in good faith turn to with hope and desire to improve their life or the life of a loved one. These unproven, fraudulently marketed, often useless health-related products trade on  false hope.

These fraudulently marketed products and devices can unfortunately keep the consumer from seeking a credible source of health care. By not seeking a credible source for health care assistance the severity of the problem may worsen. Some products can cause serious harm, and many are expensive because health insurance rarely covers unapproved treatments.

Health scams often target older people. Most victims in the United States are older than 65.

To protect yourself;

• Question claims of "miracle cures" or "breakthroughs"
• Know that newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV stations do not have to make sure that the ads they run are true
• Find out about products before you buy them
• Don't let salespeople force you into making snap decisions
• Check with your doctor before taking products

When evaluating health-related claims, be skeptical. Here are some signs of a fraudulent claim:

• Statements that the product is a quick and effective cure-all or diagnostic tool for a wide variety of ailments. For example: "Extremely beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, infections, prostate problems, ulcers, cancer, heart trouble, hardening of the arteries and more."
• Statements that suggest the product can treat or cure diseases. For example: "shrinks tumors" or "cures impotency."
• Promotions that use words like "scientific breakthrough," "miraculous cure," "exclusive product," "secret ingredient" or "ancient remedy." For example: "A revolutionary innovation formulated by using proven principles of natural health-based medical science."
• Text that uses impressive-sounding terms like these for a weight-loss product: "hunger stimulation point" and "thermogenesis."
• Undocumented case histories or personal testimonials by consumers or doctors claiming amazing results. For example: "My husband has Alzheimer['s disease]. He began eating a teaspoonful of this product each day. And now in just 22 days he mowed the grass, cleaned out the garage, weeded the flower beds and we take our morning walk again."
• Limited availability and advance payment requirements. For example: "Hurry. This offer will not last. Send us a check now to reserve your supply."
• Promises of no-risk "money-back guarantees." For example: "If after 30 days you have not lost at least 4 pounds each week, your uncashed check will be returned to you."

The Federal Trade Commission has a great little online booklet that puts some hot topics back into perspective. Topics such as hearing aids and the manufacturer not wanted to repair it, your rights with switching prescriptions, handling complaints with nursing homes, cataract surgery, arthritis cures and direct mail scams. You can view this booklet at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/health/hea17.pdf

Be an informed consumer. To learn whether the FDA or the FTC have taken action against the promoter of a product you may be considering, visit www.fda.gov/oc/enforcement.html or www.ftc.gov. Visit www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-warn.html for a list of the dietary supplement ingredients for which the FDA has issued warnings.

To report a health product that you believe is being advertised falsely, contact:

• The FTC by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TDD: 1-866-653-4261; by mail to Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580; or online at www.ftc.gov. Click on "File a Complaint Online."
• Your state Attorney General's office, state department of health, or local consumer protection agency. These offices are listed in the blue pages of your telephone book.
• To report a product that you believe is fraudulently labeled, call your local FDA office. The number is listed in the blue pages of the telephone book.
• To report an adverse reaction or illness that you think is related to the use of a supplement or other healthcare product, call a doctor or other healthcare provider immediately. You also may want to report your reaction or illness to FDA MedWatch. Call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) to request a report form, or file a complaint online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/hcp.htm. Patients' names are kept confidential. For more information on how to report a problem to FDA, see www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/problem.html.